Early Vote by Mail & Absentee Ballots

DEADLINE TO APPLY FOR VOTE BY MAIL IS MARCH 13, 2023 FOR ANNUAL TOWN ELECTION

Application

Submit a signed application to the Town Clerk's Office. 

Paper applications must be completed with a wet signature and mailed or delivered to our office. Applications may also be emailed as PDFs or JPEGs so long as they contain wet signatures made by pen, mouse, stylus, or finger. Typed signatures are not acceptable. If you would like a hard copy of the application mailed to you, please call the Town Clerk's Office at 781-721-7130 or email us at townclerk@winchester.us 

You may also write a note/letter stating that you would like to receive a vote by mail ballot and submit by mail or email to townclerk@winchester.us

Processing 

Ballots are mailed with a pre-addressed, unstamped return envelope. Complete instructions are enclosed with each ballot for the proper return of the ballot.

Returning Your Ballot

Completed ballots may be mailed back or hand-delivered to drop boxes located in the front and back of Town Hall at 71 Mt. Vernon Street or directly to the Town Clerk's Office located on the first floor.

Ballots cannot be dropped off at a polling place on Election Day, ballots must reach our office by the close of polls on Election Day in order to be counted.

Use the Secretary of State's Track My Ballot tool to check the status of your ballot. The tracker will show you the date your ballot was mailed, the date it was returned, and whether your ballot was accepted or rejected.

Absentee Ballots

In addition to no-excuse early voting by mail, Massachusetts has absentee voting for those who qualify. While early Vote by Mail ballots are more common, there are special circumstances where you need to apply for an absentee ballot instead.

You can find information on Vote By Mail and Absentee ballots on the state's elections website.

Town of Winchester Absentee Application

EARLY VOTING (by mail or in person) FAQ:


If I applied for a vote by mail ballot can I appear to vote in person at an early voting site or at the polls on Election Day?

If your vote by mail ballot has not been received back to the Town Clerk’s Office – YES, you may still appear to vote in person at the polls on Election Day. Should your mail in ballot be received after you voted early in person or at the polls on Election Day that ballot will be rejected and will not be counted.

If a vote by mail ballot has already been received back by the Town Clerk’s Office – NO. A returned vote by mail ballot is considered cast and you will not be eligible to vote early in person or in person at the polls on Election Day.

If I vote early in person can I appear to vote in person at the polls on Election Day?

NO - If you appeared to vote early in person your ballot will be considered cast and you will not be eligible to vote by mail, or in person at the polls on Election Day. Voting in Person at the Polls after submitting an early ballot is prohibited as outlined in 950 CMR 4 7.19.

When & how is an early voter's ballot cast?

All vote by mail and early voting in person ballots will be opened and inserted into the tabulators at the polls on Election Day.  These ballots will be kept secured, locked, and unexamined until the Police Officers deliver them to the polls for processing on Election Day morning.